Portsmouth Cathedral: a beacon and safe haven, anchored in Jesus Christ.
For centuries, Portsmouth Cathedral has been a beacon for people on land and at sea, helping them navigate the passage of time with faith and confidence in God. It is a building of greatness and simple enduring beauty, and a lively, inclusive and compassionate community, which has a positive impact on the lives of people in its own parish, as well as the City and Diocese of Portsmouth.
This new vision and strategy emphasize that we are a community always open to God’s will, affirming the good things of past and present, while also seeking further growth and development. I am grateful to all who have contributed; we have greatly benefitted from feedback at a number of consultations, and from engaging with the strategy of the diocese we are proud to serve.
As we head towards our centenary in 2027, we are excited about the future, and invite you to play your part in helping us turn this vision into reality. Note that each objective is followed by three examples of how we will measure and assess progress. We are determined that this vision and strategy really will shape our life and work, and are grateful for your prayers, encouragement and support.
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The Very Reverend Dr Anthony Cane
Dean of Portsmouth
Diocese and Community
We will resource and build up the overlapping communities the Cathedral serves, from our own parish and worshipping community, to the parishes of the diocese, to our visitors and our pilgrims. We will work with our Bishop and Diocesan to be a Cathedral connected with and relevant to the whole diocese. We will enable visitors and pilgrims to experience more than they expected, whether spiritually, emotionally or intellectually.
Examples of progress measures:
- Cathedral Ministry team preaching, teaching and officiating across the diocese
- Parish visits to the Cathedral
- Quality of visitor and pilgrim experience
Worship and Music
We are committed to offering worship to God on behalf of the whole community, and serving the needs of many individuals, groups and organisations. With excellence in music, imaginative use of space, nurturing the gifts of all and using the rich resources of liturgy – both traditional and contemporary – the worship at Portsmouth Cathedral will continue to draw people to God, reflect the beauty of Christ and invite all-comers to a deeper experience of the sublime.
Examples of progress measures:
- Attendance at services, both in the Cathedral and virtually
- Engagements with community organisations through worship
- Outreach events involving music
Growing and Learning
We are whole-hearted in seeking to grow in faith, learning and participation, enabling encounter with the living God for all through education, nurture, and the arts. We seek to be bold and inclusive in nourishing the existing Cathedral community, and drawing new people into it. We are working to inspire our visitors through creative engagement, and to embed learning and feedback in all that we do.
Examples of progress measures:
- Engagements with schools
- Adults participating in introductory Christianity courses
- Number of community art projects
Finances and Sustainability
We will build a financially sustainable Cathedral with the resources to offer inspiring worship, learning, community, external engagement and social justice. We will carefully manage our finances, embed a culture of stewardship. transparency and accountability in all our activities, while taking hold of opportunities to grow income innovatively and ethically.
Examples of progress measures:
- Cathedral expenditure does not exceed income
- Congregational giving
- Community confidence in the way finances are managed
Building and Heritage
We will conserve and harness the potential of the buildings, treasures and environment entrusted to our care. We will ensure the conservation and development of the Cathedral itself as a place of worship and divine encounter, while maximising the use of all our buildings to improve income streams and engage wider audiences with the life and work of the Cathedral.
Examples of progress measures:
- The Cathedral’s TripAdvisor rating
- Items outstanding from our Quinquennial Inspection
- Donation box income
Partnership and Engagement
We are committed to being an outward-looking community, working to identify and overcome barriers to participation. We are working to widen engagement with the Cathedral and its significance, including its spiritual life, and to develop mutually beneficial partnerships. We will build a culture of social responsibility, and contribute to the common good of the City of Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight and south-east Hampshire.
Examples of progress measures:
- New partnerships and shared projects
- Support for local foodbanks and other charities
- Extent of Fairtrade and locally sourced products for events
